Lawrence will see its police department in action on the 200th episode of 'Live PD'

Lawrence Police Department's camera system is not only creating transparency, but also improving officer safety, reducing false complaints and working as a de-escalation tool.
Jenna Watson, jenna.watson@indystar.com

Lawrence-based viewers of the A&E Network series “Live PD” will see a familiar setting when the show airs this week.

The Lawrence Police Department will participate in the documentary series throughout the summer, the network and police department announced Thursday. The first episode with the department, the show's 200th episode, is set to air Friday, from 9 p.m. to midnight, and will air every Friday and Saturday during that time.

The department will join several other agencies on the show, including the Warwick Police Department in Rhode Island and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

The show, which premiered in October 2016, documents policing in America in real time, according to a release from A&E Network.

"It gives viewers a peek behind the curtain of how policing works," Deputy Chief Gary Woodruff told IndyStar. "And we’re open to the discussion of how policing occurs in communities across America."

A crew of about four or five people will accompany officers Friday and Saturday nights. They will also film during various shifts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. It's similar to media ridealongs, when journalists ride with law enforcement during their shifts.

All of the officers are participating voluntarily.

"Live PD" reached out to the department about the show last year, according to Woodruff.

The officers on the show will not be paid for their participation. An official end date for the show was not specified.